Prologue
“When you’ve haunted a building since the Beatles met Ed Sullivan, you see a lot of changes,” Chad said to Harold, who haunted the building across the street.
The two ghosts floated between their buildings, high enough that the air currents from traffic below didn’t affect them. Still, they swayed occasionally in the autumn breeze and had to compensate to remain face to face.
Harold contemplated the elegant old brownstone sadly.“I don’t like to complain, mind you, but when your new owner ripped off the roof, did he have to replace it with a God-awful glass and steel penthouse? It’s an eyesore here in historic Back Bay!”
“I miss theoldowner. He was a crotchety, grumpy, eccentric recluse, but he didn’t change anything.”
“Change comes hard for most of us, Chad—living or dead—yet change is the nature of the world. You’d think we’d get used to it after all this time. I’ve been going with the flow… but enough is enough.”
“I know what you mean, Harold. Change can kiss my ass.”
Chapter 1
“Merry? What on earth are you doing?”
*Poof*
And just like that, Merry MacKenzie’s sexy daydream evaporated.
“Dad, I’m exhausted. I have to rest.”
Merry had collapsed on the worn leather sofa sitting in the middle of the sidewalk in front of a beautiful antique townhouse. She yanked an inhaler from her denim jacket, shook it vigorously, and squirted the mist into her mouth. Inhaling a deep breath, her constricted lungs eased.Ah, relief.
“We’re almost done, honey. But while you’re resting, let me say this again—if you ever need or want to move back to Rhode Island, you can.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. But right now, I’m still moving into my apartment. How about letting me unpack before you make me feel guilty for leaving you?” She reclined on the sofa so she could expand her diaphragm and rest.
“Come on, Merry,” her father said as he loomed over her. “One last push.”
“No. I’m tapped… Gonna die now.”
“I know you’re tired. We’ve been moving your stuff into your new apartment all afternoon. Or, I should say, new to you, old by any other American’s standards.”
“Well, I happen to love it. Jeez, did you look around? Did you notice that thick, solid mahogany banister? I don’t know how you could miss it. It practically blinds you, gleaming in the light of the crystal chandelier,” she said. “The elevator is all mahogany and brass inside. Everything is in really good shape. Apparently, the landlord lives in the building and made sure it was all replastered but kept the period details like thewide crown moldings. And while you’re noticing, check out the marble stairs.”
“Why do you care about the elevator? You live on the first floor—thank God. I can’t imagine carrying all this crap up to the second or third floor.”
“And movinginis only part of the fun! I’ll be up half the night unpacking. Who knew I had so much stuff?”
“That’s the way it is when you move. You always have more than you thought you had, and it always takes longer than you think it will.”
“I’ve never moved before, so how could I know?”
Mr. MacKenzie frowned. “Merry, Matt and I have to get going soon. It’s getting dark. Are you okay?”
“Just one more minute, Dad.” Merry glanced around at the lengthening shadows, wondering where west might be and if she’d have a sunset view. She looked up at tree limbs silhouetted against the twilight sky. Dry leaves rattled in the autumn breeze, and for a moment she thought she saw…
Great. First night on my own and already I’m seeing ghosts.
Then she spied a man with long, dark hair leaning against the wrought iron fence that surrounded the brownstone’s small lot. Dressed all in black, he almost disappeared into the shadows, and she might not have noticed him at all except for his pale skin and intense eyes. Something about the way he cocked his head and stared at her caught her attention. A shiverrippled up her spine.
“You can rest when you’re inside. It’s getting darker by the minute, and you know my eyesight’s no good for night driving.”
“Have Matt drive home. Where is he, anyway?”
Her father peered toward the heavy oak and beveled glass front door of the building. They’d left it propped open with a marble pedestal from the foyer. “I don’t know. Last I saw, he stopped to talk to someone. Must have been the landlady.”
